JAGODINA, Jan. 31, 2005 (BETA) - Lufti Haziri, a minister in the Kosovo government, said on Jan. 31 that the Kosovo authorities absolutely reject the idea of an ethnically-based decentralization of Kosovo.

"The Serbian government's plan, and the projects for Kosovo's decentralization from Dusan Janjic's non-government organization and the Geopolitical Institute from Belgrade are unacceptable to the people of Kosovo because they are based on ethnic principles," Haziri told the Jagodina Palma Plus TV station.

"The ethnic principle is indeed important and we give it great importance, but this must not lead to self-isolation. The Kosovo government's plan is based on a civic principle and complies with European standards. It implies giving municipalities much greater prerogatives," the minister said.